Discovery Weekly Newsletter
Week of September 30, 2019
Principal's Corner
Good Evening Trailblazers,
‘Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn!’ I am sure you all have seen or heard our 3 reminders we use with our students. These reminders help all to be prepared and successful during the school day. I would say that these reminders definitely permeate all aspects of our school community - from our classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, and school buses. At Discovery, students when they are exhibiting these behaviors may earn a Trailblazer ticket to be reinforced for their behavior. Once a student earns a ticket the classroom teacher collects the ticket for a classroom reward. Then all Trailblazer tickets are collected in the front office for a school reward. Currently, we are working for a school wide dance party! I can’t wait to see all our students dance moves soon.
You can support Discovery, but more importantly your child, by talking to them about ways they can display being 'Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn'. There are many different ways that this can be done. Simply talk to your child about or model some of the items below:
Replace “What did you do at school?” with “What were two positive things that happened today?
Model an attitude of a love for learning. Let your kids see you enjoy reading.
Say “I appreciate your good attitude” instead of just “good job.”
Encourage students to look at each other in the eye and shake hands.
Be kind to others – be the first to reach out to new kids, include others.
Find the good in everyone you meet.
Give your children your undivided attention–spend time with them and be there.
Celebrate each others’ accomplishments in simple ways (i.e., special treat, verbal acknowledgment).
Some of these tips may not seem all that new, but for all children it is important to emphasize things like effort and attitude when things don’t go our way: when a test is failed, a concept not understood, a shot missed, an injury occurred, or a relationship is strained with a friend. As unfortunate as all of those are, many of these common examples are key to teaching your child about perseverance and grit. Both qualities are key for school and life success!.
On Wednesday, 10/2 as a school we will be reinforcing and modeling what it means to be ‘Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn’ on the school bus. We have a school wide activity planned, in partnership with our bus drivers, to encourage the safest bus ride possible for all students. Don’t forget to ask your child how they can model our 3 qualities on the school bus everyday!
Your Principal,
Christopher Painter
This Week's Happenings
Tuesday, 10/1
Goose Creek Village
42841 Creek View Plaza
Ashburn 20148
Friday, 10/4
PTO Update
Happy Fall Y'all!!
Although the days are still very warm, we have our COOL Fall events all lined up and waiting!
Please continue to support your school, through our PTO events, and THANK YOU for your participation, thus far! We are well on our way to a successful year, thanks to all of your support!
Come out for dinner and drinks at the Social House, our next Spirit Night, on Oct. 1 and grab a slice of pizza on Oct. 25, at Spooky Bingo!
We are also recognizing our amazing custodial staff on October 2, by bringing in treats and having the kids write “thank you” stars!
Don't forget to look for ways you can stay involved at Discovery ES. We have volunteer opportunities for everyone who is interested! Please check out this newsletter and opportunities below to sign up!
Erin Sullivan & Kristin Stephens
PTO Presidents
discoverydonationsandevents@gmail.com
Stay Connected:
Instagram @discoveryPTO
FB @discovery.pto.trailblazers
Twitter @discoverypto1
National Bullying Prevention Month
Staff Appreciation Luncheon - Seeking Donations!
Backpack Buddies Food Drive
Discovery Elementary School is hosting its first food drive to benefit Backpack Buddies. The vision of Backpack Buddies is to provide assistance to food insecure students in our community over weekends and extended breaks, allowing them to focus on learning. Please consider sending in a bag with individual sized items for this vital program by this Friday, October 4. Suggested items (and more information) are in the attached document below.
Box Tops Goes Digital
Have you downloaded the Box Tops app yet? Box Tops has gone digital! Download the new mobile app so that you can keep earning at at Discovery. The app will scan your store receipt, automatically find participating products, and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online. No clipping required! AND to top it off, Box Tops is running a contest in which a lucky school will be entered for a chance to win a $20,000 school makeover. Every receipt you scan, will count as an entry. Contest runs through November 15.
Still want to send in the actual Box Tops? No problem. Physical Box Top clips are beginning to be phased out of production, but may continue to be found on many products throughout the store. Feel free to send in your clipped Box Tops, along with any unexpired clips you may have at home, and we will continue to get credit.
To download the app and learn more visit the Box Tops website.
Shop Harris Teeter?
Harris Teeter supports local schools by donating a portion of your grocery bill to our school! But it requires you to link your store cards to our school (and re-link each year). Please take a moment and link your account!
UPDATE: We have 52 links so far and need 116 shoppers to link by October 16 in order to earn a bonus check from Harris Teeter. Please consider linking tonight!
To link your Harris Teeter account you may click here to go directly to the Harris Teeter website or if you would prefer we do this for you, click here. (NOTE: Discovery's code is 2009.)
October Spirit Nights
October 1
October 14
Discovery Spirit Wear For Sale
Seeking Volunteers in the Music Room
Discovery's music teachers, Miss Heck and Mrs. Zumbach-Woullard, would appreciate any help in the music room this Fall and Winter! Volunteers will assist with materials for concerts, assist with classroom manipulatives, and help with any extra needs in the music room. We are looking forward to having you join us! To sign up for a date and time, please visit the sign-up genius.
Lunch Room Volunteers Needed
As we head back to school, we would like to start the lunch room environment off on the right foot. As any parent that has visited for lunch can attest, it can get pretty loud. This is one of the times during the day that students really get to relax and socialize. We are hoping with the help of parent volunteers this year, they can enjoy this social time however learn to do so with respect and inside voices. Our little kindergartners really need the extra help these first few weeks as they learn the lunch time routine. If you would be interested in helping as a lunch room volunteer, please sign up using our sign up genius.
Below are the parent volunteer responsibilities in the cafeteria:
- To chat with students and provide POSITIVE behavioral feedback (Ex: "Thank you for picking up that piece of trash off of the floor.' "You noticed a friend was sitting alone, and you invited him/her to sit with you - how kind and caring of you!" "I like that you said please/thank you." "Thank you for raising your hand, and for being patient.", etc...)
- To help cafeteria staff with opening food items, bringing napkins/straws, etc. to students
- Escort students to/from restrooms
We thank you in advance!
Discovery's Calendar
- 1 - Spirit Night; Social House; 5:00 - 9:00 pm
- 14 - No School; Columbus Day
- 14 - Spirit Night; The Zone; 4:00 - 9:00 pm
- 15 - PTO Meeting @ Discovery Elementary Library; 3:30 pm
- 25 - Spooky Bingo & Toy Drive; 6:30 pm
Thank you Discovery Elementary PTO Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Contact Us
Website: https://www.lcps.org/des
Location: Discovery Elementary School, Grace Bridge Drive, Ashburn, VA, USA
Phone: 571-252-2370
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discovery.pto.trailblazers/
Twitter: @discoverypto1